Things You Should Know About Dental Cavities

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know that more than 90 percent of the population has had a dental cavity?

The American Dental Association (ADA) defines a dental cavity as, “The destruction of your tooth enamel (the hard outer layer of your teeth) that causes a hole in the tooth.

They further state that when plaque forms on your teeth, combined with eating and drinking foods that contain sugar, the collective bacteria produced attack the tooth enamel.

Some ways you can prevent tooth decay are:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.
  • Use floss or interdental cleaner to clean between your teeth daily.
  • Eat healthy, well balanced meals.
  • Limit snacking.

Since cavities mostly happen in adolescents, your dentist may suggest the use of supplemental fluoride or dental sealants (a plastic proactive coating) applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.

Nothing combats tooth decay more than regular visits to your dentist for professional cleanings and oral examinations.  If you are at low risk of cavities or gum disease, it is recommended that you see your dentist once yearly.  If you are at higher risk, you may need to visit your dentist every three or four months.

If your teeth are in need of a check -up, you can make an appointment with one of our board certified dentists at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Dental Center by calling 718-206-6980.

 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Employee Spotlight on Louise Senior

This month we shine our employee spotlight on Louise Senior, a telephone operator at the Trump Pavilion For Nursing and Rehabilitation, and perhaps better known as the woman who is always smiling at the reception desk in the lobby. Louise started working at the nursing home in 1994. She is extremely proud to tell everyone that five generations of her family have been affiliated with the facility. Her grandmother was a patient and her mother, her daughter and her granddaughter have all worked there.

Louise was born in the Bronx but she really considers herself a native of Queens having moved to Queens Village at the age of eight.  Her early school years were spent at Public School 98 in Bayside, the Louis Pasteur Middle School and Cardozzo High School. Currently, she resides in St. Albans.

Her personal story began at Trump Pavilion when she was 13 years old and would visit her mom who worked there. Years later she experienced a fall and her doctor recommended that she receive physical therapy.  On Louise’s last day of therapy, she happened to see the Director of Communication who asked if she would be interested in coming to work for the facility.  That was 24 years ago and she is still very happy that she said yes to the offer.

Louise feels very fortunate to be working with a wonderful team of people. She enjoys interacting with the patients, their families, and all of her colleagues. She is very proud of the work that she does and feels like she is making a difference in the lives of others.

When Louise is not working she enjoys spending time with her family. She has four granddaughters who she spends a lot of time with. Louise likes to listen to music, especially R&B and she has a passion for cooking all different types of food. Everyone who knows Louise will tell you about her warm personality. She is the nice lady who greets people as they enter with a smile.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Mourning the Loss of a Pet

Losing a loved one is one of the hardest experiences we can have. For most people, a pet is like a member of the family. They love us unconditionally and over the course of our lives and theirs, will give us countless hours of joy and happiness. When a pet passes on, it can be devastating. It is very normal to grieve for the loss of a pet in the same way as we would for anyone else in our lives that we love.

Some of the ways we can handle the loss of a pet:

  • Allow yourself time to mourn
  • Think back on all the memories you and your pet created together
  • Try to continue with your life and your daily routine
  • Allow others to offer their condolences
  • Meditation
  • Write a letter to your pet, hold a memorial service, put some items of the pet in a special place in your home.
  • Seek professional help to speak about your feelings

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a mental health therapist, please call 718-206-7160.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Are You Sure This Burger Isn’t Meat?

 

 

 

 

 

If you are a Vegetarian who has missed the taste and juiciness of an all American beef burger, you may not have to pine any longer.  The rage right now, whether called Impossible, Superiority or Beyond, are meatless burgers that replicate the texture, taste and succulence of meat.

The Washington Post recently highlighted one such burger – Superiority Burger.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup dried red quinoa
  • 1½ cups plus 2 tablespoons water
  • 1¼ teaspoons fine sea salt, plus more as needed
  • 2 medium carrots, scrubbed well and cut into ¼ -inch dice (about 1 cup)
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more as needed for frying
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1½ cups)
  • 1 tablespoon fennel seed, toasted and ground (see NOTES)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup cooked or no-salt-added canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
  • ½ cup coarse dried bread crumbs, such as panko
  • ¾ cup walnuts, toasted and crushed (see NOTES)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha or other hot chili sauce
  • 2 tablespoons potato starch
  • 8 soft buns, toasted, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Combine the quinoa, 1½ cups of the water and ¼ teaspoon of the salt in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and cook until fluffy, 35 to 45 minutes. Uncover, transfer to a large bowl and let cool.

While the quinoa is cooking, spread the diced carrots on a quarter baking sheet; roast (middle rack) until dark around the edges and soft, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until it is translucent and lightly browned at the edges, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the fennel seed, chili powder, ¼ teaspoon of the pepper and ½ teaspoon of the salt; cook until the spices are very fragrant, 30 seconds. Add the chickpeas and cook, stirring frequently, until they are very tender. Pour in the vinegar; use a spatula to dislodge any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Use a potato masher or large fork, to coarsely mash the onion-chickpea mixture.

Scrape the onion-chickpea mixture into the bowl with the quinoa. Add the roasted carrots, bread crumbs, walnuts, lemon juice, parsley, Sriracha or other hot chili sauce, the remaining ½ teaspoon of the salt and ¼ teaspoon of the pepper, and mix well. Taste, and add more salt, as needed.

Whisk together the potato starch and the remaining 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl to form a thick, smooth slurry. Fold that into the burger mixture.

Use a ½ -cup measure to scoop 8 equal portions. Shape each one into a ¾ -inch-thick disk.

Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil into a large saute pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add as many patties as will fit without overcrowding. Working in batches, pan-fry the patties until browned, about 3 minutes on each side.

To serve, place each patty on a toasted bun.

To read the entire article visit –

 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

New Changes for MediSys MyChart

For many years, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has offered our patients the opportunity to better manage their health care and interact with their providers, through the MyChart patient portal.

Access to MyChart accounts has always required a patient’s physician to provide them with a special access code. Now, thanks to our partnership with Experian, our patients can create their very own MyChart account without needing an access code. For patients to create an account, they simply click the link to the MediSys MyChart website: https://mychart.medisys.org and click on the “sign up now” tab.

The new Experian verification process is much easier and will give patients quicker access to their chart, allowing them to take any number of actions, including:

  • Reviewing their medications, immunizations, allergies, and medical history
  • Reviewing test results online
  • Reviewing health education topics and discharge instructions
  • Requesting prescription refills online
  • Interacting with your provider via email
  • Requesting an appointment
  • Linking to family medical records

We hope that this new method of creating an account will encourage more patients to sign-up. By offering our patients easier access to their records, we feel they will become better educated and empowered to take a more active role in their health and the health of their family, which we feel will lead to a healthier patient population.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Ingrown Toe Nails

An ingrown toe nail occurs when the corner or the edge of a nail curves into the skin causing pain, redness, swelling and potentially an infection.

The reasons a toe nail can become ingrown include:
• Cutting the nail too short
• Cutting the nails at improper angle
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Nails that curve by themselves   in to  the skin
• Banging the toe into a hard surface.

While we can’t always avoid getting an ingrown toe nail, there are a few things that we can do that will help lessen the chances of it occurring. A few tips to help avoid ingrown nails are to wear comfortable shoes that aren’t tight fitting, keep toe nails trimmed straight across, don’t let toe nails grow too long, and check your feet every day for signs of trouble.

Infected ingrown toe nails can be very painful. They will usually be accompanied by the presence of pus and the toe may feel warm. If you suspect that you have an infected ingrown toe nail, you must see a podiatrist as soon as possible. They may have to remove the piece of nail that is causing the infection and will probably prescribe an antibiotic to fight the infection. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the rest of the foot and beyond. People with diabetes and poor circulation must be extra careful in these situations.

If a toe nail becomes ingrown, it will be necessary to have it treated professionally. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7001.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Benefits of Prenatal Massage

Having a baby is a beautiful time in a woman’s life, but the pregnancy itself isn’t always a pleasant experience. Can a prenatal massage help?

The goals of a prenatal massage are the same as a regular massage – to relax tense muscles, improve circulation, offer relaxation, and to re-energize the body and mind.

Many women experience joint pain, neck and back pain, leg cramping, and sciatica during pregnancy. Massage therapy addresses the inflamed nerves by helping release tension in nearby muscles.

A prenatal massage also improves blood circulation and reduces the risk of edema, or swelling of the joints during pregnancy by stimulating soft tissue. This reduces fluid build-up around joints. Improved blood flow also helps the body’s lymphatic system work more efficiently by aiding in the removal of toxins and tissue waste.

By ridding the body of certain stress hormones, a prenatal massage can reduce anxiety and improve an expecting mother’s overall mood.  Other benefits include the alleviation of headaches, reduced instances of insomnia, decreased levels of depression, and even improved labor outcomes.

When choosing a massage therapist, be sure to pick one who is certified in prenatal massage. Certified Prenatal Massage Therapists are trained to provide relief to known sore spots and also know to avoid applying pressure to very sensitive pressure points. They know the appropriate techniques to use and positions to recommend and may even have a specially designed massage table for pregnant women.

A prenatal massage may not be for everyone.  Women with certain conditions, such as preeclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension or with a history of pre-term labor should not receive a prenatal massage. All women should consult with their prenatal care provider before scheduling a massage.

If you have questions about prenatal massage or would like to schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN at Jamaica Hospital’s Women’s Health Center, please call 718-291-3276.

For more health tips and information visit us on Facebook.com/JamaicaHospital

 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

Traditionally, the month of August is when children around the United States starting getting prepared to return to school. Often this will require them to visit their pediatricians for physical exams and vaccinations. One of the most important exams is an eye exam.

The American Optometric Association recommends that children get their first eye check-up when they are six months old. They should receive another check-up at the age of three, and again when they are either five or six. After the age of six, children should have their eyes examined every two years unless they wear contact lenses or glasses which require annual visits to an eye doctor. It is also recommended that your child visit an eye doctor if they exhibit signs and symptoms of a vision disorder. These include:

• Lack of interest in reading
• Not able to see things far away
• Constant tilting of the head
• Squinting when watching TV
• Frequent blinking and rubbing of the eyes
• Seeing double
• Holding a book close to the face
• An eye that wanders
• Covering one eye
• Inability to stay focused on an object

Eye health and eye health are very important. If you would like to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-5900.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Jamaica Hospital Offers a Low Dose CT Scan

CT scans are widely used across the medical field to perform diagnostic exams, and for many patients, the risk of radiation exposure is concerning. To address this concern, Jamaica Hospital is utilizing a low-dose CT scanner.

Jamaica Hospital’s, state-of-the-art GE CT scanners boast quick scans and use high-definition technology to produce precise images, using 30%-40% less radiation.

CT scanners are a specialized technology that provide detailed pictures of muscles, organs and tissues and are a vital diagnostic tool. The clarity of these images help lead to accurate diagnoses, while lower doses of radiation improves patient safety. Comparatively, low-dose CT scans are just as effective as the traditional scanners used in the past.

Low dose scans are commonly used to diagnose muscle and bone disorders, determine the location of tumors and infections, guide procedures, such as surgery and radiation therapies, identify diseases and conditions, such as cancer and heart disease, and detect internal bleeding and injuries.

What Happens During a CT Scan?

Obtaining a CT scan requires lying on a table that moves slowly through a large imaging machine. In order to produce clearer pictures, some patients may be required to swallow a dye or have it injected into their veins.

Patients are advised against wearing jewelry, eyeglasses, hairpins, or any other objects that could affect the quality of images.

If your physician requested that you have a CT scan performed and you would like to schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-6138.

 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Recognizing The Symptoms of A Stroke

Symptoms of a stroke Stroke is an all too common medical emergency that affects more than 795,000 people in the United States each year; of that number, 140,000 people die from complications.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a stroke occurs every four seconds and someone dies from stroke every four minutes.  Because the chances of an occurrence are high, there is a possibility that you may come in contact with a person while they are having a stroke.  Knowledge is key when helping someone in this situation.

Stroke can occur when there is a blockage of blood supply or bleeding in the brain. Both instances can lead to severe symptoms if not addressed with urgency.   When stroke occurs time equals brain: meaning for every minute without treatment 1.9 million neurons (the building blocks of the nervous system) may become damaged or die.

Time is essential when treating stroke. The sooner you recognize the warning signs, the sooner you can seek emergency care.  When it comes to recognizing stroke, all you have to remember is F-A-S-T:

  • Facial droop: one side of the face isn’t moving like the other. If you ask them to smile, it will appear lop-sided or crooked.
  • Arm weakness: one side may be weaker than the other, or they cannot raise both arms together. There may also be numbness or tingling of the arm or leg.
  • Speech difficulty: slurred speech, or speech that may not make sense. They cannot repeat a simple phrase or aren’t forming their words normally.
  • Time: if you notice any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately and remember the time you first noticed symptoms, this will be very important information when it comes to treatment.

Other signs of stroke may include a sudden severe headache, changes to vision, confusion, numbness/tingling, trouble walking or poor balance.

If someone you know has symptoms of stroke, CALL 9-1-1! Emergency medical staff can provide early diagnosis and treatment and ensure that the patient gets transported where they need to go as quickly as possible. Recognizing the signs of stroke early can save a life!

For more information about stroke and stroke prevention and treatment, you can go to www.cdc.gov/stroke or www.stroke.org or schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss what risk factors you may have and what you can do to minimize your risk of stroke.

To  schedule an appointment with a Family Medicine Doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-6942

Andrew Flowers, MD- Family Medicine

 

 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.